Village planning for summer 'zombie run'

January 19, 2014

WELLSVILLE - Wellsville Council held its first meeting of 2014 this past week, with Mayor Susan Haugh welcoming new councilwoman Nancy Murray and Randy Allmon, who returns to council following an absence of two years.

In re-organizations for 2014, Morrow was selected as president pro tempore, to preside at meetings in the event that the mayor is unavailable to attend. Committee chairships were appointed as follows: Finance, Tony Cataldo; Streets, Lights and Parking, Nancy Murray; Personnel, Randy Allmon; Property, Equipment and Cemetery, John Morrow; Claims, Rules and Ordinances, Don Brown; and Water, Sewer and Refuse, Diane Dinch.

Village administrator Thom Edgell praised road crew workers for their efforts in keeping village roadways clear so far this winter, but also stated that road salt usage has been greater than expected due to a higher volume of snow and ice. "We're probably 50 tons over at this point, and winter is hardly done yet, so I would anticipate a healthy bill," he said. "We're going to do the best we can to hold it down as well as we can."

Following what he referred to as a few "hiccups" along the way, Edgell announced completion of the 12th Street force main sewer improvement project, which went online Dec. 14, complimenting the contractor's work on the job. Council approved the payment of $90,935.84 to X-Press Underground for completion of the project. There was also a payment of $4,400.51 to GGJ Engineers for observation and management of the project.

Council also authorized payment of one-half the property taxes presently owed on 444, 454, 460, 464 and 1210 Main Street, in the amount of $3,382.09. This step was taken in order to persuade the owner of the properties to sell the package to the village. "Hopefully, offering to pay half the taxes will put our bid over the top," councilman John Morrow explained.

In other, spookier business, Haugh announced that a 5K zombie run under the title of "Wellsville: Back from the Dead," is being planned for this coming June. She explained that some entrants will be human runners with flags that the zombie entrants, chasing them over the 5K-route through the village, will attempt to capture, with points earned or lost accordingly.

"This will be very big," Haugh said. "People will come from all over for this." According to the mayor, the entry form at the group's Facebook page (Wellsville Zombie Run 5K) had been downloaded more than 1,100 times in just a few days.